Steering wheel knock when off roading

I have a 2012 TRD 4x4 DC. when going over unimproved surfaces I'm getting a audible knock and feel in the steering wheel. I have 265/70/70 tires so they are not that large...Think I remember this with the stock size too. Any Ideas on getting the stopped?

 

I would imagine its just tiny amount of slop in the steering, it is very common. If it is a loud knock when flexing then I would investigate the sway bar. If you could record it that would be good

 

Do you get the "knock" when going strait, or is it specifically when you turn left or right? Does it seem to be only at low speeds or at certain speeds or does it consistently make a "knock" sound? I assume from your post this only happens when offload, like a dirt trail/road.

Do you have a lift on the truck or any other aftermarket components, especially to the suspension (like UCA, shocks, etc)?

My thinking is it is probably something has come loose in your steering system somewhere. It may not be a big deal actually? Sometimes when you take the car in for an alignment they can find it.

 

My 2015 (all stock, as of now) does this also. It's been into the dealer once already, and the felt the knock, but didn't find anything. They contacted Toyota, and it's going in this week so they can "try" a few things.

I'll update this if they find anything.

 

Try the zip tie fix. It worked for me. You can always take it out. There is a write up on here. STEERING CLUNK FIX. Look it up.

 

Thanks for the input all. Going to look up the zip tie fix. Yes I do have a lift. It's the toytec boss lift 2.5" but I think it did this if I remember before lift. It's most noticeable on "cobble stone" or "baby head" type terrain.

 

I tried to do the zip tie gig with no luck. There is absolutely no room to slip the zip between the bushing and assembly as shown in the photos on the other help thread. so it must be some other issue?

 

Totally normal. I'm on gen 2 #3 and they all did it. Never found what it is tho..lifted the front and rattled the wheels, tight . Took the wheels off, and yanked on the suspension, tight. Maybe teensy slop in the steering. Just know all 3 of mine have done it. Like the secret formula for coca cola, we may never know. Kinda like my wife's cat, I just ignore it.

 

Now that's funny!
Hey thanks for the input, as it stands I can live with it cuz I only go off road a few times a year (Sierra gold country) up by Downiville Ca. For boys mt-bike/4wheelin' trip. All good just annoying,

 

This thread was from a while back, may contain something pertinent to your situation: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/steering-rag-joint-mod-phase-1.92672/

 

Went back to the dealer today: After a bit of "diagnosing", Toyota told them it's the front driveshaft (!) They've ordered it and it will be in next week. I'll let you know if it helps once I get it on.

 

Sounds good thanks.
I'm taking mine in for way over sensitive brakes tomorrow. I'll ask them about the knock too.

 

Ok, a bit of a disconnect between the Technician and the Service Writer: He replaced the intermediate STEERING shaft, not a drive shaft. I told him I thought it was a bit odd to replace a drive shaft when the steering wheel is what was impacted.

Anyway, the drive home was uneventful, but the steering seemed a bit tighter... could be the placebo effect. In any event, if it doesn't rain/snow too much I'll try it on a dirt road around the corner and see if it's any better. If not, then the lower shaft gets replaced...

Now if I could just get them to do something about the rear leaf springs...

 

I noticed mine also had a slight knock in the steering on bumpy roads. The steering never felt loose or wayward so I ignored it at the time, though it did concern me. Later I read on here somewhere that this is normal for a rack and pinion steering set up. It's just a small amount of lash or "free play" between the gears. One member mentioned that his truck has been doing this for over 6 years with no negative effects.

On another note I also recently observed a loud, rather solid sounding, knock from my front suspension upon heavy articulation, like when descending into a ditch. I thought it might be the sway bar somehow, any idea what specifically is going on there? I'm considering removing it, I drove an old 91 Toyota pickup with no sway bar for like 6 years and it never felt unsafe or unstable.

 

Quick update: The new intermediate shaft did improve the "knock", but it's still not right. The amplitude of the "knock" is less, but it's still there...

As to the rack and pinion observation: I've never had a "knock" or slop cause a knock in a rack and pinion system. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but I doubt it with just over 9100 miles on the truck now, and having observed this for the first time at 3500 miles...

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/steering-column-fix.88077/

Just read some of this. I'm gonna look into this sometime soon. This seems like it may be a better explanation than the rack and pinion slop.

 

A quick (non) update: The truck's back in the shop for this "knock", with no immediate resolution found. Additionally, they're looking at why the rear end of my truck is low, with absolutely flat springs with the front of the springs slightly frowning.

Toyota Corporate is involved to help these problems now, and they've been helpful and aggressive in helping to get the source of these problems identified and fixed, but nothing has been identified as of yet.

As they used to say in the News business: "Film at 11:00"!